Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that all cases registered against pro-Kannada activists, who protested against the alleged violation of language norms by business establishments in the state, will be withdrawn.
The CM made the announcement while addressing a gathering at the unveiling of the 25-feet-tall bronze statue of Bhuvaneshwari, the goddess who represents Karnataka's state identity, on the Vidhana Soudha premises on Monday.
The statue, sculpted at an approximate cost of ₹21.24 crore, is 41 feet tall, including the pedestal, and weighs around 31.5 tonnes.
During his speech, Siddaramaiah acknowledged the importance of embracing all languages but stressed that, in Karnataka, Kannadigas should cultivate the habit of speaking and interacting with "their brothers and other speakers" in Kannada.
"Instead of speaking incorrectly in other languages, we should speak our own language. In all our neighbouring states, the language spoken by the people of the respective state is sovereign. This should be practised here, too," he said.
Emphasising the need for respect towards the Kannada language, culture, and art, the CM called for increased efforts in learning and teaching Kannada reading and writing.
"Only then will Kannada become the sovereign language," he added.
In 2023, activists from various pro-Kannada outfits targeted shops and business establishments that did not display Kannada signboards, advertisements, and nameplates. Protests were held demanding compliance with the state government's rule requiring 60 per cent of nameplates to be in Kannada, leading to cases being registered against many activists.
At the same event, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced plans to mandate public and private sector establishments to hoist the Kannada flag on Karnataka Rajyotsava Day (November 1).
"Bengaluru is home to people who speak 107 languages. The government tried to mandate all establishments to hoist the Kannada flag, and we weren't fully successful. However, in the coming years, we will ensure that the Kannada flag is hoisted," Shivakumar said.
He also revealed plans to distribute Kannada flags through the Department of Kannada and Culture to other departments.
"The statue of Mother Bhuvaneshwari will protect all Kannadigas," he said, adding that Karnataka is the only state in India with its own flag dedicated to its language.
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